Sheet spacing and punching machine



N. E. WOODS.

SHEET sPAclNG AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28| 1920.

1,397-849A l' PatentedN0v.22,1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

N. E. WOODS.

SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION msn FEB. 28. |920.

1 ,897,E349, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

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N. E. WOOD'S.

SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING'MACHINE.

APFLxcATloN HLED FEB. za, 1920.

1,397,849; PatentedNov. 22,1921.

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N. E. WOODS.

SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 1920.

1,397,849. Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

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N. E. WUODS.

SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLlcAloN FILED FEB. 28. 1920.

1 ,397,849, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

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SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2s, 1920.

atto/m cg UNITED STATES NORMAN E. XOODS, OF PATERSON. NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WALTER H.

OF NEEV YORK, N. Y.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOSTER,

SHEET SPACING AND PUNCHING DACHINE.

Application filed February 28, 1920.

T a'ZZ 107mm. it may concern.'

Be it known that l. NORMAN E. lVooos, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paterson. in the county of Passaic and State ot' New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sheet Spacing and Punching Machines. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in sheet spacing and punching machines. and particularly to machines employed 'for punching a row or series of spaced holes iii regular order or succession along one ot the marginal edges of a sheet. i

One object of my invention is to provide simple, reliable, accurate, rapid and eficient spacing or feeding means for moving the sheet forward step oy step for the successive punching or" the holes therein by the punch, and for automatically locking the sheet rigidlv in position during the punching action, whereby the holes may be punched in accurately spaced or matched relationship and without tendency to stretch or distort the sheet.

further object of my invention is to provide simple, reliable and eilicient. means for operating and controlling, successively in timed accord, the actions of the feed mechanism. locking means. and means govei-ning the movements oi" the punch, whereby certainty ot operation of the working parts at proper intervals is. insured.

A still further object ot' my invention is to provide fluid pressure means for operating the punch. said means including valve .giechanism governed to admit fluid pressure to operate the punch when the sheet is locked in punching;` position and to allow exhaust ot such fluid pressure and the return or' the punch to normal position during the ensuing feed motion of the sheet.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the spacing or feeding means and the sheet locking means niav he retracted or rendered inoperative tor. ani: desired period so to permit the sheet supporting table or carriage to he moved baclzw d or forward by hand and vithout operati the punch.

still further object ot the invention is to provide inea-'is for adjust-ing the parts to compensate for wear or any slight irregularities ot action. and also for varying the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 361,915.

working action or admitting of the use of interchangeable parts to adapt the machine for punching holesl at different distances apart within determined limits.

lith these and other objects in View, which will appear in the course of the subjoined description, the invention consists of the n vel Jfeatures of construction, combiiiations and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which z- Figure l is a view in elevation looking toward the working side of the machine, parts being broken away and the punch omitted to better show certain features of construction.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine frame and punch supporting pedestal.

F ig. 3 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail transverse sections through opposite sides of the feed table.

F ig. table.

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation thereof.

Fig. S is a detail view of one of the work clamps. f

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the punch and thc adjacent side ot the traine and teed table.

F 10 is a sectional plan view of the same.

Fig. 11 is a section through the feed c 'ank with the parts thereof disassembled.

Fig. 12 is a face view of the clamping plate thereof.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on line 141-14 of Fig. 10.

G is' a topvplan view of the feed Fig. 14 is a vertical section on line 15-15 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section on line 16-16 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail section on line 17--17 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is aface view of the rocker arm and associated parts of the feed mechanism, showing said rocker arm at the limit ot' its feed motion and also showing some of the rack pins in section.

Fig. 18 is a detail section on line 1.9-1.9 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 19 is a detail view of certain parts shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing the rocker arm at the beginning of its feed motion.

Fig. 21 is a section on line 22-22 of Fig. 10, showing the fluid pressure controlling valve of the punch in normal position.

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 2l showing the valve in open position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 designates the supporting frame of the machine which is horizontally arranged and, as shown, of oblong rectangular form and of suitable length and width for its intended purpose. This frame may be of any preferred construction but in its illustrated embodiment comprises longitudinal channeled side bars 2 and 3, end bars 4, and braces 6 and tie-bolts 7 connecting said side bars, together with legs 8 arranged at the corners and one side of the frame and supporting the saine at the desired elevation, said legs being reinforced by braces 9. The frame structure as a whole is complet-ed by a substantial punch-supporting pedestal lOarranged about midway of the length of the frame and bolted or otherwise secured to the adjacent bar 2. 1n practice the legs 8 and pedestal 10 rest upon the floor or other suitable foundation and may be bolted or otherwise secured thereto or properly mounted to secure necessary stability and rigidity and maintain the frame 1 in a level or horizontal position. rlhe outer corner legs 8 have upward extensions 11 and 12 which form stops at the respective ends of the frame. Supported at one side of the frame between the pedestal and rear end ot the frame is a flanged bar 13, which forms a stop and side gage for the edge of the sheet to be punched.

The frame 1 serves as a bed or trackway for a traveling table or carriage 14 on which the work, i. e., sheet to be punched, is supported and fed up step by step for the successive punching operations. This table or carriage may be of suitable form and construction to sta-bly support the work and may be mounted for back and forth travel in any suitable manner on the frame l. As shown in the present instance, the table is provided at one side with wheels or rollers 15 to run upon the upper beleved edge of a vertical track rail 16 secured to the upper horizontal web or iiange of the side bar 2, and the table is provided at its opposite side with wheels or rollers ,17 which run directly upon a track rail 18 formed by the upper horizontal Vflange or web of the side bar 3. Forked or slotted guide brackets 19 depend from the table and slidably embrace or straddle the edge of the rail 16 and hold the table from lateral displacement. Stops 20 and 21 are provided-on the table for engagement with stops 11 and 12 on the frame,

whereby the table is limited in its backward and forward movements. Slidably engaging a T-shaped bar 22, forming a part of the table structure, are work clamps 23 and 24 for engaging and clamping the sheet, at its front and rear end edges, to the table, whereby the work is firmly held in position. These clamps are adjustable for different lengths of sheets, as will be readily understood.

Detachably secured by suitable fastening means to the side of the table facing the pedestal l0 is a pin rack comprising a bar Y 25 provided with tapered rack pins or teeth 26, spaced at intervals corresponding to the distance between cent-ers of holes to be punched. On the feed motion of the table these teeth are successively engaged by the grooved or forked upper end 27 of a feed dog` or lever 28 rocked back and forth b-y the circular motion of a crank pin 29 upon a rotary crank head 30. This crank head consists of a hub keyed or pinned upon the inner end of a rotary feed shaft 31, operable by means ofa hand wheel or other suitable operating device 31a, said hub being internally4 threaded to receive a threaded clamping disk 32. This disk 32 is provided with an opening 33 for the passage therethrough of the crank pin 29, which is formed with a headed end 84 clamped between the disk and inner wall of the hub. The disk is also provided with sockets 35 for the reception of a Spanner-wrench or the like, whereby it may be conveniently screwed in and out of the hub. By this construction a new crank may be readily substituted for a worn or damaged one whenever occasion requires. As shown, the shaftl is journaled in bear ings 36 upon a support 87 having at its inner end a depending bracket 88 on which the dog or rocker lever 28 is pivotally mounted. The pivotal mounting for the dog consists of a pin 39 having at one end an angular head 40 adjustably fitted in a vertical guideway or recess 41 formed in the bracket 38 and communicating with a restricted slot 41a opening through the face of the bracket. The pin 39 projects outwardly through said slot and through an elongated slot 42 in the lever 28 and its outer end is threaded to receive a nut 43. Fitted on the pin is a. nonrotary spacing and clamping sleeve 44 which extends through the slot in the lever, on which sleeve the lever is mounted to slide vertically and also rock or oscillatelaterally as a center of Inotion. A washer 45 is arranged on the pin between the nut and lever and holds the latter from outward displacement, and this washer also bears against the outer end of the sleeve 44,'which is clamped between the same and the head 40, while the inner end of the sleeve is formed with flattened faces 46 projecting through the slot 4l and where-V by said sleeve is held from rotation on the pin. By the described construction of crank head with removable crank pin and clamping disk 1 am enabled to employ crank pins of differential radial throw, and by the use oi an adjustable pivotal support tor the lever 26, and the provision ot' the elongated slot 42 therein, the lever' tulcrum may be adjusted to regulate the throvv ot said lever in accordance with the throvv ot the crank pin. Hence by so varying the Working action of the lever and the use or' interchangeable rack bars 25 having their teeth 26 spaced at different intervals apart, the operation or the machine may be modified to vary the punching intervals Within certain limits, so that one and the same machine may be used for punching sheets in which the holes are to be punched at dii'ierent distances apart. Furthermore, the adjustable pivotal mounting' for the lever 26 permits such Working adjustment ot' said lever relative to the rack teeth as to secure a positive Working connection oi these parts on each 'eed motion to feed the table to the exact degrees for successive punching' actions. Of conrse it is to be understood that other forms of crank heads with crank pins ot ditl'ierent radial throiv may be employed in lieu oi' the type disclosed.

The punching mechanism comprises a bed plate 47 suitably secured to the pedestal 10 and which carries a Jframe structure 48 including a cylinder 49 having a piston 50 operating therein, said cylinder being movable upwardly on its Working stroke under fluid pressure and downwardly on its return stroke through the action of a spring 51. The piston rod 52 is pivotally coupled at its upper end to a rocking beam or lever 53 fulcrumed to a rocker link 54 mounted on the trame 4S, said rocking beam or lever being pivotally coupled at its opposit-e end through the medium ot' a pitman 55 With a verticallyY reciprocating punch slide 56 carrying the punch tool 57. This tool 57 is movable downwardly through the usual stripper 58 for coperation with the anvil or die 59, between which stripper and anvil the edge of the sheet to be punched extends and moves on the feed motion ot the table 14. Communicating with the loiver end or the cylinder is a combined iced and eX- haust port 60 With Which communicates an admission port 61 and a final exhaust port 62. A combination valve controls the supply of iiuid pressure to and exhaust from the cylinder 49 and includes an admission valve member 63 controlling the port 61 and an exnaust valve member 64 controlling the port 62. said exhaust valve member being in the iorm of a plunger mounted in a suitable chamber or recess 65 in the valve casing. Fitted in a part of the casing communicating vvith the port 61 is a plug 66 with which connects a. fluid pressure supply pipe 67 leading from a suitable source of compressed air or other fluid pressure supply, and disposed between said plug 66 and the valve 63 is a coiled spring 68 normally acting on said valve to hold it seated and the port 61 closed. The valve 63 is provided ivith a tubular stem 69 slidable in a passage 70 connecting the passage 60 with the chamber 65 and With the passage 62 through said chamber, and this stem is open at its end facing the plunger 64 and pro vided with slots 71 for the feed of fluid pressure from the pipe 67 to the passage 60 when the valve 63 is open, one of said slots also serving to connect the passage 60 through the stem 69 with the chamber 65 and exhaust. port 62 when the valve member 63 is closed and the valve member 64 open, as shown in Fig. 22, Which illustrates the exhaust position of the valve mechanism. A suitable packing surface 72 is countersunk in the inner tace of the plunger valve 64 to seat against and close the open end of the valve stem 69 When the admission valve member 63 is open and the plunger valve member 64 closed, as shown inthe admission position ot the valve members illustrated in Fig. 23, it thus being understood that When the valve member 63 is open or in admission position the valve member 64 will be in closed position, and vice versa. Inclosed in the valve stem 69 and extending between the valve members 63 and 64`is a second coiled spring 73, relatively weaker than the spring 68, which spring 7 3 operates to force the plunger valve 64 open when the valve 63 is closed by its spring 68, and said spring 63 also serves as a yielding connection between the two valve members, whereby when the plunger valve 64 is positively Aforced inwardly to closed position pressure will be transmitted therefrom to open the admission valve 63 against the resistance ot the spring GS. The plunger valve 64 is provided at its outer end with a pair of spaced lugs 74 between which is journaled a friction roller 75 running in contact With the surface oia valve controlling or actuating cam 76 mounted on the shaft 31. W'hen the point of this cam comes in contact with the roller 75, as shown in Fig. 23, the valve member 64 will be moved to closed position to cut of? the discharge of air from the cylinder and motion will be transmitted to the valve member 63 to move it to open position tor the supply of fluid pressure to the cylinder to operate the punch. At all other times in the engagement orn the surface ot the cam 76 with the roller 75 the valves are in the reverse position, the spring 66 closing the valve 63 and the spring 73 sliding the valve 64 outwardly and holding` the roller in contact with the surface of the cam, such position of the valves allowing the fluid previously supplied to the cylinder to operate the punch in its punching action to exhaust to the atmosphere, whereupon the previously compressed spring 51 will return the piston 5() to normal position and vthus retract the punch in readiness for the succeeding punching operation.

A locking device is provided for coperation with the pins or teeth 26 to lock the table firmly in punching position during the punching action, and to thereafter release it for the next ensuing feed-up motion under the action of the rocker lever 28 actuated by the crank head. This locking device comprises a sliding locking bolt 77 having a slotted or bifurcated end portion 78 for engagement with any of the pins 26 and having its opposite end provided with a friction roll 79 engaging the groove of a grooved cam 8O mounted on the shaft 31. The locking bolt 77 iss-fitted in a casing 81 closed by a suitable detachable cover plate 82, and said bolt is formed with a longitudinal slot 83 receiving a stop pin 84 projecting downwardly from the cover plate and secured in the base of the lock casing and entering an opening in the cover plate, which pin limits the forward 4movement of the bolt, rearward movement of the boltloeing limited by a stop shoulder 85 thereon adapted for engagement with the front of the lock casing. The pin 84 also serves as an abutment for the rear end of a coiled spring 86 disposed in the slot 83 between said pin and the forward end of the lock bolt. This spring tends to force the lock bolt forward to locking position, which action is restrained by the action of the groove of the cam 80, whereby the lock bolt is held retracted until the cam comes in proper position, at a proper pointinthe path of revolution of the shaft 31, to positivelyforce the lock bolt forward to locking position for engagement with the pin 26 alining therewith at the limit of feed motion of the table 14, the spring 86 compensating in this connection for any lost motion or imperfect projection of the locking bolt due to wear or looseness of parts. The lock casing 81 is provided with a depending rib or guide flange 87 slidably engaging a transverse groove 88 in a bracket 89 carried by the support 37, which bracket is formed with a transverse slot 90 for the upward passage of a headed clamping screw 91 in threaded engagement with the lock casing, whereby said casing is adapted to be clamped in adjusted position. The rib 87 by engagement with the groove 88 holds the lock casing from any possibility of rotary movement, and said portions coperate with the slot 90 and screw 91 to permit the lock casing to be adjusted in a direction longitudinally of the table to accurately center the notched end of the bolt to accurately engage the pins 26 as they successively come in tc1 position for locking engagement therewit In the operation of the machine, the table 14 being drawn back to the limit of its rearward movement, as shown in Fig. 1, or such other working position required under different working conditions, the sheet to be punched is placed thereon and gaged by bringing its forward edge into position to be engaged and clamped by the forward clamp 23 and its longitudinal side edge which is to be punched in engagement with the gage bar 18', after which the rear clamp 24C is adjusted into position and tightened to clamp the sheet against movement. The carriage is then fed forward for the successive punching actions by the-rotation of the shaft 81, through the medium of the hand wheel 81a, in a clockwise direction. rlhe grooved or forked end of the lever 28 will thus be brought into position to engage one of the pins 26, as shown in Fig. 18, whereby the table will be coupled to the drive shaft 31 for a determined forward motion, at the limit of which the pin 26 will be released on the descent of the crank pin 29 and lever 28 in their arc of motion. As soon as the pin 29 in question is freed from engagement with the lever 28, at or about the time of its disengagement therefrom, the cam member 8O operates to project the locking bolt 77 into engagement with the pin 26 alining therewith, thus locking the table firmly against movement, and Vat this stage the point of the cam 76 engages the roller 75 and moves the valve member 64 inwardly, thus opening the valve 63 to admit iiuid pressure to the cylinder to actuate the punch for the punching operation while the sheet is held in fixed position. The locking and punching actions occur in timed accord between intervals of operation of the dog or lever 28, and as the forkedl end of this dog approaches the succeeding pin 26 for the ensuing feed-up action, the locking bolt 77 is retracted by the action of the cam 80 and the point of the cam 7 6 passes the roller 75, thus allowing the admission valve to close and the Vexhaust valve to open under the action of the valve springs, whereupon the punch is retracted and the table freed for the succeeding feeding and punching motions.

The support 37, which constitutes a carriage for the feed drive shaft and cams governing the actions of the table lock and punch, is in the form of a plate slidably fitted in a guideway 92 in the bed plate 47 and limited in its forward and rearward movements respectively by adjustable stop devices 93 and 94. When said support 37 is in normal or forward position the feed lever 28 and cams 76 and 8O are in position for working action, but by sliding the support rearwardly the feed lever and cams may be withdrawn to a non-Working or inoperative position. .ai hand lever 95 is provided for sliding the support, said lever being fulcrumed at its inner end upon a pin 90 rising from the bed plate 4T, pivotally connected intermediate its ends by a pin or screw 97 to the support, and having its outer end project-ing beyond one side of the pedestal so that it may be conveniently gripped and manipulated. By bringing the lever rearwardly from the normal position shown in Fig. 11 to an extent limited by the stop 94, the feed lever 2S and cam 80 will bemoved out of the path of the rack pins Q6 and the cam 76 out of alinement ivith the roller T5, thus allowing the table 14 to be moved rapidly backward or forward by hand. A. spring-actuated locking stud 9S, mounted for vertical movement on the bed plate 45T, is adapted for engagement With a keeper recess 99 in one side of the lever 95 to locl; the same in normal position. The stud is also adapted to engage the opposite longitudinal edge of the lever, When the latter is swung rearwardly, to lock the parts in retracted position.y this action being neces sary inasmuch as the vfithdra'vval of the lock bolt TT places the spring 80 under tension, as Will be readily understood. Preferably the yplate 37 is dove-tailed or provided ivith beveled longitudinal edges 100 and is of less Width than the guidevfay 92. @ne si le ivall of this guideivay is beveled or undercut, as at 101, and is engaged by one of the beveled edges 100 of the plate 3T, ivhile the other side Wall 10:2 of the guidevvay is straight or vertical and engaged by the similarly formed outer edge of a gib or filler piece 103, the inner side edge 104 of which is beveled to overlie and engage the adjacent edge 100 of the plate 37. The gib or filler piece thus completes the formation of a dove-tailed guidevvay for the dove-tailed plate 37 and takes up the excess Width of the guidexvay. The gib is slotted, as indicated at 105, to receive binding screivs 106 which enter threaded openings in the bed plate 47, whereby, upon slackening said screws, the gib is left free for adjustment to take up any looseness due to Wear of the parts and may then be fixed in adjusted position by tightening the screws 106, screivs 10T being provided on the bed plate et? for making such adjustments and having lock-nuts 108 for retaining them in adjust-ment. vThis mode of mounting the support 37 also admits of the removal of the prime feeding and the controlling elements as a unit from the supporting pedestal, for convenience in making repairs or for other purposes.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection ivith the drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved spacing and punching machine will be read- .ily understood and its advantages appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extended description. While the machine is especially designed to meet the requirements of locomotive jacket punching, it may be also used for other similar Work where accurate punching of successive holes necessary. it ivill be observed that the invention not only provides novel spacing and locking mechanism, but embodies a novel mode of operation in moving and locking the ivorl support prior to the operation of the punch ,vhereby accurate adjustment 'of the ivork and its firm support during the punching' operation are secured.

Having thus fully described my invention, l claim:

1. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling table to support the Work, punching mechanism. feed mechanism for advancing the table by a step by step motion to successive punching positions, a locking mechanism for locking the table in punching positiomand automatic operating means for successively actuating said mechanisms in timed accord to cause the feed mechanism to advance the table.y the locking mechanism to positively lock the table against movement, and the punching mechanism to punch the Work While the table is held locked.

2. In a spacing and punching machine, a ivorl; supporting table, a feed mechanism for successively advancing the table to each punching' position, a locking mechanism for locking the table in punching position, a punching mechanism, a common prime mover, and cam devices operable thereby for positively actuating said mechanisms in timed accord and effecting the operation of the punch mechanism While the table is held' fixed in punching position by the locking mechanism.

3. In a spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, a feed mechanism for successively advancing the table to each punching position, a locking mechanism for locking the table in punching position, a punching mechanism, a rotary driving element, and cam devices operable thereby for positively actuating said mechanisms in timed accord and effecting the operation of the punch mechanism While the table is held fixed in punching position by the locking mechanism.

il. In av spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, a fluid-pressure-operated punch, a prime mover, and means actuated thereby for successively advancing the table, locking the table in advanced posit-ion, and supplying fluid pressure for 0perating the punch While the table is locked.

5. In a spacing and punching machine, a ivorl: supporting table, a fluid pressure operated punch, a feed mechanism for intermittently advancing the table to punching positions, a locking mechanism for locking the table in punching position, and means for successively actuating the feeding and locking mechanisms and admitting fluid pressure to actuate the punch while said locking mechanism is in action.

6. In a spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, rack feed mechanism for intermittently advancing the table to successive punching positions and releasing Vthe table between successive advancing movements, a punch, a locking means cooperating with a part of said rack feed mechanism for locking the table in its moments of rest, and means for successively actuating the feed mechanism, locking means and punch and effecting the operation of said punch while the table is at rest and held fixed by said locking means.

7. In a spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, rack feed mechanism for intermittently advancing the table to successive punching positions and releasing the table between successive advancing movements, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve device controlling the supply of fluid pressure te the punch, a locking means for locking the table in its moments of rest', and means for successively actuating the feed mechanism, locking means and valve device, said'valve device being actuated to effect the operation of the punch while the table is at rest and held fixed by said locking means.

8. In a spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, feed mechanism for intermittently advancing the table to successive punching positions, a locking means for locling the table in each of its punching positions and releasing it after thepunching operation for the succeeding advancing motion, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve device controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the punch, and means for actuating the feed mechanism, locking meansV and valve device in timed accord, said valve device being operated to effect the actuation of the punch while the table is held fixed and immovable by said locking means.

9. In a spacing and punching machine, a work supporting table, a raclr carried thereby, a rotary shaft, an oscillatory dog actuated by said shaft `to impart motion to the rack and alternately engage and release the same, a locking device movable into and out of engagement with the rack, a punch, and means controlled by the shaft for governing the operations of the lockingdevice and the punch in timed accord with each other and with the dog for successively actuating the dog to advance the table, setting the locking device to lock the table, and actuating the punch `while the table is locked.

l0. In a spacing and punching machine, a worlr supporting table, a rack carried thereby, a rotary Shaft, an oscillatory dog actuated by the shaft for engaging and moving the raclr forward, said deg being adapted to alternately engage and release the rack, a. spring retracted locking device to engage the rack, a fluid pressure operating punch having a controlling valve, and cam devices on the shaft for controlling the locking device for locking and releasing actions and governing the valve for the supply and eX- haust of fluid pressure to and from the punch. in timed accord with the action of the dog.

11. In a spacing and punching machine, a work table, a rack, means engageable with the rack to advance the table step by step and release it between intervals of action., means also engageable with the rack to hold the table fixed and immovable between intervals of action, and a punch 'operable when the table is at rest and held fixed to punch the work.

12. In a spacing and punching machine, a work table, feed mechanism for advancing the table by a step by step motion, a punching mechanism, a locking mechanism for locking the table between intervals of advancing action, and a common source of power for successively actuating the feed mechanism to advance the table, setting the locking mechanism into action to lock the table, and actuating the punch while the table is locked, f

13. In a. spacing and punching machine, worl; table, means including a feed device for advancing 'the table step by step, a locking device for locking the table between intervals of feed motion, a punch device for punching the work while the table is locked, means for actuating said devices, and means for simultaneously throwing said feed and locking devices out of coaction with the table to permit manual motion of the table.

lll. In a spacing and punching machine, a. work table, a. rotary shaft, raelr mechanism actuated by 'the shaft for intermittently advancing1 the table, a locking device for locking the table in punching positions, a punch for punching the sheet while the table `is locked, and cam devices actuated by the shaft for controlling the operations ofthe locking device and punch.

' l5. In a spacing and punching machine, a work table, a rotary shaft, raclr mechanism actuated by the shaft for intermittently advancing the table, a locking device for locking the table in punching positions, a fluid pressure Voperated punch, a valve controlling the supply of fluid pressure to and its .exhaust from the punch, and means controlled by the shaft fonthrowing the locking device into and out of action and operating the valve at properly timed intervals.

16. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work support-,ing table, a rack bar carried by said table and having spaced rack projections, a feed device arranged to successively engage said projections and intermittently feed the table forwardly, a locking' device adapted to engage said projections and lock the table in punching positions. a luid-pressure-operated punchingr mechanism, and means for operating the feed device and lock device and supplying fluid pressure for operating the punching mechanism in timed accord.

17. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling` work supporting table, a rack bal' carried by the table and provided with spaced projections, a rotary feeder adapted to successively engage said projections and intermittently advance the table forwardly, a locking device adapted to engage the projections to lock the table in punching positions, a punching mechanism, and a rotary prime mover for actuating the feeder and controlling the actions of said locking device and punch mechanism.

1S. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, Aa feed device for successively engaging said rack projections and intermittently advancing the table, a locking device for engaging and releasing said projections and adapted to engage a project-ion and lock the table in punching position between intervals of action of the feed device, a punching mechanism, and means for operating the feed device'and controlling the operations of the locking device and punching mechanism.

19. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a feeder for successively engaging said rack projections and intermittently advancing the table, a reciprocating locking device for engaging the projections and locking the table in punching positions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to and its exhaust from the punch, a rotary shaft for actuating the feeder, and devices operated by said shaft for projecting and retracting the locking device and opening and closing the valve.

20. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a feeder for successively engaging said projections and intermittently advancing the table, va locking device for engaging the projections and locking the table in punching positions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve controlling the supply of fluid pressure and its exhaust from the punch, a rotary shaft for actuating the feeder, cams carried by the shaft for controlling the operations of the locking device and valve.

21. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a rotary shaft, an oscillating feeder for successively engaging and releasing said projections, and a drive crank connection between said shaft and feeder.

In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a rotary shaft, an oscillatory feeder slidably and pivotally supported, said feeder being adapted to successively engage the rack projections for intermittently feeding the table forwardly, and a crank connection between the shaft and feeder.

23. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced ack projections carried by the table, a rotary shaft, a vertically adjustable support provided with a pivot member, a feeder having an elongated slot slidably and pivotally engaging said pivot member, said feeder being adapted to successively engage said rack project-ions and intermittently feed the table forwardly, and a crank connection between the shaft and feeder.

24. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, rack projections carried by the table, a prime mover, a feeder actuated thereby to successively engage the rack projections and intermittently feed the table forwardly, a sliding locking device adapted for engagement with vsaid projections, a cam actuated by the prime mover for projecting` and refr-acting said locking device, and a spring associated with the locking device for taking up any lost motion.

25. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a rotary drive shaft, a feeder actuated by said shaft to successively engage said rack projections and intermittently feed the table forwardly, a sliding locking device to engage the rack projections and lock the table in punching posit-ions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve device including a plunger for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to and its exhaust from the punch, and cam devices carried by the shaft for actuating the locking device and plunger.

26. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a rotary shaft, a feed device actuated by the shaft for engaging said projections and intermittently feeding the table forwardly, a locking device for engaging the projections to look the table in punching positions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve device including a plunger for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to and its exhaust from the punch, cam devices carried by the shaft for operating the locking device and plunger, a support for the shaft, feeder and locking device adjustable to throvv the feeder and cam devices into and out of action, and means for adjusting said support.

27. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a rotary shaft, a feed device actuated by the shaft for engaging said projections and intermittently feeding the table forwardly, a locking device for engaging the projections to lock the table in punching positions, a iiuid pressure operated punch, a valve device including a plunger for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to and its exhaust from the punch, cam devices carried by the shaft for operating the locking device and plunger, a support for the shaft, feeder and loclc ing device adjustable to throw the feeder and cam devices into and out of action, means for adjusting said support, and means for locking the same in adjusted positions.

28. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling Work supporting table, spaced rack projections carried by the table, a feeder for successively engaging` the rack projections and intermittently advancing the table, a locking device to engage said projections and lock the table in punching positions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a valve con trolling the supply of fluid pressure to and its exhaust from the punch, and means for successively actuating the feeder, locking device and valve in timed accord.

29. In a spacing and punching machine, a traveling Work supporting table, feed mechanism for intermittently,advancing the table, y

locking mechanism for locking the table in punching positions, a Huid pressure operated punch, a spring closed valve governing the supply of fluid to and its exhaust from the punch, said valve including a spring retracted plunger, and a cam for operating said plunger on its valve opening motion.

30. In a spacing and punching machine, andin combination with a Work supporting table, and means for intermittently advancing said table and locking it in its punching positions, a fluid pressure operated punch, a spring closed feed valve controlling the flow of fluid pressure to the punch, a spring opened exhaust valve plunger controlling a' Work supporting table, a rack bar carried thereby and having spaced pins, a sliding support, arotary shaft mounted on said support, an oscillatory dog movable with the support and actuable by the shaft for imparting intermittent feed movements to the rack bar, a fluid pressure operated punch having a controlling valve, a locking device engageable with the raclr to lock the table in fixed positions, cams carried by the rotary shaft for controlling the valve'and locking device, and means for shifting said sliding locking device out of rack engaging position and to render the valve inoperative.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

NGRMAN E. WOODS.

`support to Withdraw the dog and. 

